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25/03/2002
Customs seize 15 million cigarettes at Belfast docks
Customs officers have seized nearly 15 million smuggled cigarettes which were intercepted at Belfast Port.
Customs officials said they believed the duty free cigarettes, which were intercepted in a consignment of clay pots from Holland, would have been sold illegally in both Northern Ireland and the Republic.
The smuggled cigarettes would have cost the taxpayer around £2.5 million in lost revenue.
The latest seizure is part of Customs’ major crackdown on tobacco smuggling and follows hard on the heels of last week’s seizure of three million cigarettes at Larne Port.
A Customs spokesperson said: “Last week it was duty free cigarettes in a consignment of Bulgarian matches, this week it’s clay pots. These latest seizures highlight our ability to detect these illegal consignments, however the smugglers try to disguise them.
“Tobacco smuggling takes revenue away from the local economy and into the hands of a few criminals. The illegal sale of duty free cigarettes also means less money for schools and hospitals.”
In March 2000, the Government invested £209 million into tackling tobacco smuggling. The investment aims to put cigarette smuggling into decline within three years.
A £3 million publicity campaign was launched in September 2000 to raise general public awareness of tobacco smuggling as well as sending hard messages to smugglers and potential smugglers.
(AMcE)
Customs officials said they believed the duty free cigarettes, which were intercepted in a consignment of clay pots from Holland, would have been sold illegally in both Northern Ireland and the Republic.
The smuggled cigarettes would have cost the taxpayer around £2.5 million in lost revenue.
The latest seizure is part of Customs’ major crackdown on tobacco smuggling and follows hard on the heels of last week’s seizure of three million cigarettes at Larne Port.
A Customs spokesperson said: “Last week it was duty free cigarettes in a consignment of Bulgarian matches, this week it’s clay pots. These latest seizures highlight our ability to detect these illegal consignments, however the smugglers try to disguise them.
“Tobacco smuggling takes revenue away from the local economy and into the hands of a few criminals. The illegal sale of duty free cigarettes also means less money for schools and hospitals.”
In March 2000, the Government invested £209 million into tackling tobacco smuggling. The investment aims to put cigarette smuggling into decline within three years.
A £3 million publicity campaign was launched in September 2000 to raise general public awareness of tobacco smuggling as well as sending hard messages to smugglers and potential smugglers.
(AMcE)
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Customs net £1.5m haul of smuggled cigarettes
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Customs seize illegal cigarettes at Larne port
Customs officers have seized nearly three million duty free cigarettes concealed in a consignment of Bulgarian matches arriving at the Port of Larne via Liverpool.
Customs seize illegal cigarettes at Larne port
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
